A Travel Guide to the World of Harry Potter

Where Magic Lives: A Guide to the World of Harry Potter

If the words “Expecto Patronum” make your hand reach for a suitcase, this article is for you. We have gathered “Potterverse” places that you can visit without a visa from Uzbekistan and where you can live a little piece of magic as soon as the coming weekend. You do not have to dream only of London and the Warner Bros. Studio: the Harry Potter shop in Istanbul, the cozy 9¾ Café in Batumi, the atmospheric Coffee Outside Hogwarts in Almaty, Asian gems such as Platform 9 1/2 Café in Ipoh, and the legendary Harry Potter café The Nook in Manila — all of this is real and closer than it seems.

We have made the material not only inspiring, but truly practical for travelers: for each place you will find the exact address and directions on how to get there (Metro Line M9 to the Mall of İstanbul, the ETS train to Ipoh, the Grab service in Manila and similar details), how much time to allow, an approximate budget for “butterbeer” and souvenirs, as well as tips for trips with children.

All that remains is to choose a direction — Turkey, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, or the Philippines — and decide which Hogwarts house suits your mood today: Gryffindor for adventures, Ravenclaw for beautiful routes, Hufflepuff for cozy cafés, or Slytherin for “secret” photo locations. Ready for a magical walk? Let us go!

TURKEY — Istanbul

Why here: frequent flights from Tashkent, moderate airfares, and this is where one of the official Wizarding World stores opened.

Wizarding World Shop by Sihir Dükkanı (Mall of Istanbul) — the Harry Potter shop in Istanbul

What it is: an official Wizarding World store with an area of approximately 200 square meters and approximately 1,500 items: house robes, wands, scarves, and interior décor. There are atmospheric displays, character figures, and photo corners.

Address and landmark: Mall of Istanbul (Başakşehir).

How to get there: Metro Line M9 Ataköy–Olimpiyat, with a station next to the Mall of Istanbul; city buses are also convenient. The shopping mall itself recommends traveling specifically by Metro Line M9.

Who it is for: fans of merchandise, gifts, and “Instagrammable” shots.

Wizard’s Coffee House — a Hogwarts-style café

What it is: a cozy café with décor inspired by the wizarding world — an excellent break between walks through Üsküdar and along the Bosphorus.

Address and landmark: Üsküdar (see the map in the profile on Yandex Maps).

How to get there: take a ferry to Üsküdar from the European side and then continue on foot or by tram.

Visa: for citizens of Uzbekistan, visa-free for up to 90 days.

GEORGIA — Batumi and Tbilisi

Why here: close, affordable, the sea and delicious food — love at first khachapuri — and “Potterverse” spots already exist.

9¾ Coffee (Batumi) — that very “9 and ¾”

What it is: an intimate Harry Potter café with house décor, themed drinks, and charming photo details. According to reviews it is atmospheric and heartfelt.

Address and landmark: Angisa Street, 78, Batumi.

How to get there: from the Old Boulevard, 10–15 minutes by taxi or Bolt; from Batumi Airport, approximately 15 minutes.

Ollivander’s Store (Tbilisi) — a “wand shop” with Georgian flair

What it is: a specialized fan-merchandise shop in the style of the wizarding world; people come here for wands, souvenirs, and gifts.

Address and landmark: check the current address and opening hours on the shop’s website or Instagram page.

How to get there: from the center (Freedom Square) 10–20 minutes by taxi.

KAZAKHSTAN — Almaty

Why here: a short flight, delicious food and mountains, and also several cozy spots for “Muggles.”

Coffee Outside Hogwarts — the “Coffee Outside Hogwarts” chain

What it is: popular Harry Potter-style cafés with branches themed as “houses” (Slytherin, Gryffindor, and others), with all the classics — from library-like interiors to non-alcoholic “butterbeer.”

Address and landmarks:

• Auezova 104B — “Slytherin”;

• near the “Mukhtar Auezov” metro station — “Gryffindor/Hufflepuff.”

How to get there: the most convenient way is to take the Almaty metro to “Mukhtar Auezov” and continue on foot; Auezova 104B is also easy to reach by taxi. Confirm addresses and opening hours via 2GIS, Yandex, and Instagram.

Visa: for citizens of Uzbekistan, entry into Kazakhstan is visa-free. For longer stays, registration is required — please clarify the local rules.

MALAYSIA — Ipoh and Johor Bahru

Why here: the exoticism of Southeast Asia, delicious food, and warm weather year-round. For fans there are several “magical” cafés.

Platform 9 1/2 Café (Ipoh) — on Concubine Lane

What it is: an atmospheric café with references to Platform “9 and ¾,” located in the very heart of old Ipoh on the famous Concubine Lane (Lorong Panglima). It is an excellent place to combine a photo walk with Harry Potter-style coffee.

How to get there: from Ipoh (KTM) railway station it is a 10–12 minute walk through the historic center; from Kuala Lumpur, take the ETS train for approximately 2–2.5 hours.

Latte Doh (Johor Bahru) — a new themed café near Singapore

What it is: a themed café opened in 2025 in AEON R&F Mall with photo zones inspired by the wizarding world — convenient if you are combining your trip with Singapore.

How to get there: from JB Sentral, 8–12 minutes by taxi or Grab to R&F Mall.

Visa: Malaysia is visa-free for up to 30 days for citizens of Uzbekistan (as confirmed by embassy and government resources). You must have a passport with a validity of six months or more and an onward or return ticket departing within 30 days.

THE PHILIPPINES — Manila and Bacolod

Why here: ocean, islands, smiles — and solid “Potterverse” locations.

The Nook Café (Quezon City, Manila) — a classic of the genre

What it is: the legendary Harry Potter café on Maginhawa Street: a “Diagon Alley” condensed into one block — books, merchandise corners, “butterbeer,” and a warm, cozy atmosphere.

Address: 164-A Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City.

How to get there: by Grab or taxi to Sikatuna Village; within the neighborhood, move around on foot.

9 3/4 Café / Chapter 9¾ (Bacolod) — a museum-café

What it is: a cozy Harry Potter-themed spot with collections, photo corners, and a family-friendly atmosphere; an excellent stop while traveling around Negros.

Address and landmark: the areas of Locsin Street and Lasalleville — check the current address and opening hours on the café’s page before your visit.

How to get there: from central Bacolod, a short ride by taxi or tricycle.

Visa: entry into the Philippines is visa-free for up to 30 days for citizens of Uzbekistan (Uzbekistan is on the official list of visa-free countries).

Useful “how to get there” notes and tips

Istanbul (Mall of Istanbul): focus on Metro Line M9 — the shopping mall has its own page with a “Transport/Ulaşım” section that briefly describes access specifically via Line M9. From central districts it is convenient to take Marmaray to Ataköy, transfer to Metro Line M9, and continue to the Mall of Istanbul.

Almaty: the list of “Coffee Outside Hogwarts” branches includes metro stations and exact addresses; check 2GIS or Instagram before you go.

Ipoh: the old town is compact, and the KTM station is close to Concubine Lane, so walking is both cheaper and more beautiful.

Manila: traffic in Quezon City is dense — plan for peak hours, use Grab, and arrive at opening time to get a table at The Nook.

“Quick happiness” weekend routes

Istanbul for 2–3 days: Grand Bazaar → Hagia Sophia → evening on the Bosphorus; on the next day — Mall of Istanbul (Wizarding World Shop) plus coffee in Üsküdar (Wizard’s Coffee House), sunset near the Maiden’s Tower. (The route combines “classic Istanbul” with the Harry Potter shop — ideal for the request “where to go without a visa from Uzbekistan for the weekend.”)

Batumi for 2 days: Promenade → Argo cable car → 9¾ Coffee → khinkali house; on the second day — the botanical garden or Mtirala.

Almaty for 2–3 days: Kok-Tobe, Medeu, Shymbulak, plus an evening at Coffee Outside Hogwarts (choose the “house” closest to your hotel).

Fan checklist (to make your post “go viral”)

• Take a photo in your house robe by the displays of the Wizarding World Shop in Istanbul.
• Try “butterbeer” in one of the cafés (the drink is non-alcoholic; recipes and presentation differ — find your favorite version).
• In Batumi, ask for a flat white “Gryffindor-style” — and catch the light in the 9¾ interior.
• In Ipoh, combine Concubine Lane with Platform 9 1/2 — perfect for Reels.

Why these countries

They are close and visa-free: Turkey (up to 90 days), Georgia (long-term visa-free according to the list), Kazakhstan (visa-free entry; registration is required for long stays), Malaysia (up to 30 days), the Philippines (up to 30 days).

They have specific “Potterverse” spots: not “just cafés,” but truly recognizable places that people search for: Wizarding World Shop Istanbul, 9¾ Coffee Batumi, Coffee Outside Hogwarts Almaty, Platform 9 1/2 Café Ipoh, The Nook Café Manila.

Final tips for finding inexpensive flights and planning

Look for flights to Istanbul, Almaty, and Batumi with night departures — they are often cheaper; for Southeast Asia (Kuala Lumpur and Manila), consider itineraries with one connection.

Add non-moving days to your route: themed cafés are best enjoyed “with a fresh head.”

Check opening hours and current addresses (especially for small cafés) on Instagram or online maps on the day of your visit.

Magic is always nearby: in a warm cup of “butterbeer,” in the cozy glow of a café with house scarves, and in the shop windows of wands where you suddenly realize, “This one is mine.” May everyone find their own “Diagon Alley”: in Istanbul, Batumi, Almaty, Ipoh, or Manila. The most important thing is to give yourself that very feeling for which we travel: to be surprised, to collect stories, and to return a little happier.

Before your flight, check the opening hours of locations, save addresses in offline maps, activate an eSIM, and for little travelers pack a mini “magic kit” in a backpack: a house scarf, a notebook, and a list of “must-have shots.” And do not forget the main travel life hack for a Harry Potter fan: arrive at opening time — fewer people, more wonders.

If you want to turn inspiration into a ready-made plan (flights, hotels near the locations, transfers, tickets, and a “map of magic” for your dates) — we will put everything together.

Book on easybooking.travel or call 1240.